This is the fifty-fifth post in an ongoing series as we file Missouri Sunshine Law (RSMo 610) requests and investigate the non-renewal of the contract of University of Central Missouri President Aaron Podolefsky. Links to previous coverage are below the fold. BG and MB
Yes, Aaron Podolefsky is the new president at Buffalo State College in New York. Faculty members of an ad-hoc committee supporting Aaron Podolefsky at the University of Central Missouri hosted a gathering this afternoon and presented Aaron and Ronnie Podolefsky with a few small tokens of our esteem:
Matthew Zupnick, professor of Art, presents Aaron and Ronnie Podolefsky with the plaques he created on behalf of the ad-hoc committee to commemorate the Podolefsky’s time at Central.
A photo of the faculty members who formed the ad-hoc committee which was presented to Aaron and Ronnie Podolefsky. The legend at the bottom of the photo, taken from the Maastricht Friendship Tower, states, “Who is wise? He who learns from every man.”
This is the fifty-fourth post in an ongoing series as we file Missouri Sunshine Law (RSMo 610) requests and investigate the non-renewal of the contract of University of Central Missouri President Aaron Podolefsky. Links to previous coverage are below the fold. BG and MB
The student newspaper at the University of Central Missouri, the Muleskinner, published an unsigned lead editorial in last Thursday’s edition (yes, we asked):
President Podolefsky moves to Buffalo to assume duties as the new president of Buffalo State College this summer.
He gets a pay raise and additional opportunities to excel.
We hope he does well and enjoys the new challenges.
From the first announcement that Podolefsky’s contract was not renewed, one has had to wonder if there was enough time for him to find a position before next year.
It says something about Podolefsky that he landed another position as quickly as he did. And it says something about UCM that we have not moved forward on our presidential search effectively.
The deadline for applications was March 1. However, the Board is still accepting applications and has not released how many applications have been received. That says something, too.
It says that few people have applied for the position of president of UCM.
A thinking person would wonder why the University is unable to get dance partners. Is the school undesirable? What would make this University a place where quality people would not seek employment?
Could it be the way the Board of Governors acts?
Perhaps it was the way the Board handled the Podolefsky contract; perhaps it was the way the Board handled the Benoit Wesly situation — or failed to handle it; perhaps it is the looming cliff of budgetary shortfalls that will leave the new president trying to bail out the Titanic with a soup cup.
Perhaps people from outside the area have followed Warrensburg’s response to Ronnie Podolefsky’s work to protect children. Perhaps it is comments by local radio personalities that could be anti-Semitic.
Perhaps the problem is our community, our Board of Governors, our city and our failings. Perhaps we should be better citizens and hold the powers-that-be accountable.
Or perhaps the Board of Governors already has their selection for president made and the search is a sham to meet legal requirements.
Perhaps we will never know why this great University is suddenly undesirable.
The fix is Sunshine; an open and honest Board of Governors that doesn’t seek to act in secrecy.
Let people see the pretty face of UCM.
Time is short. Will the Board choose to move forward in the sun, or continue scurrying around in the dark?
Evidently, the Muleskinner doesn’t think this is all over either.
Meanwhile, the University’s search for a new president continues, and the institution distributed the following today via campuswide e-mail:
From: [….] Tuesday – March 30, 2010 2:53 PM
To: [….]
Subject: Presidential Search Update
Dear Campus Community:
This update is provided in an effort to keep the campus community informed of the progress of the Presidential Search. There is a strong pool of highly qualified applicants, representing a variety of institution types from coast to coast. The Presidential Search Advisory Committee and the Board of Governors have agreed on the candidates to bring in for “airport interviews.” At this time we are preparing for interviews to be held April 12 and 13. Following these interviews, finalists will be invited to the campus, schedules permitting, in early May.
Sincerely,
[….]
“…There is a strong pool of highly qualified applicants, representing a variety of institution types from coast to coast…”
In response to a Sunshine Law request by the Muleskinner, the Board of Governors last week refused to provide the number of applicants for the open position of University president….
….The number of applicants doesn’t seem on the surface to be information that can be closed under the Sunshine Law as there is no individually identifiable information contained within a number.
However, Setser said he reads the law allowing to close the records and the University decided to keep the number of applications confidential for the time being.
“At some point it may be that we decide to release more information,” Setser said. “It’s all geared for what we think is best for the presidential search process….”
[emphasis added]
That’s very interesting. Somebody forgot to tell the search consultant who has an $80,000 contract with the University. From the January 28, 2010 issue of the Muleskinner:
…With the narrower time frame, the Board, along with Hutchinson and Baker and Associates, has mailed out 216 letters to various presidents of universities across the nation as of Jan. 20. They are also advertising the position in The Chronicle of Higher Education, Diverse Issues of Higher Education, Women’s Issues in Higher Education and Hispanic Outlook. UCM has received nine applications for the position so far. Seven candidates responded to the mailed letters, and two responded to the advertisements. There isn’t a set due date for resumés, but the Board believes the optimal date would be March 1, 2010….
[emphasis added]
So much for experience. It would appear that a few people need to work on keeping their ducks in a row.
How are we to make a judgement about that “strong pool” if they won’t even tell us the number of applications? Just asking.
“…Will the Board choose to move forward in the sun, or continue scurrying around in the dark?”
If the past is any indication we already know the answer to that particular question.
Aaron Podolefsky has been selected as the next president of Buffalo State College in New York, “subject to approval by the SUNY Board of Trustees at its March 23 meeting in New York City.”
Mazel tov.
This is the fifty-third post in an ongoing series as we file Missouri Sunshine Law (RSMo 610) requests and investigate the non-renewal of the contract of University of Central Missouri President Aaron Podolefsky. Links to previous coverage are below the fold. BG and MB
… His separation from Central Missouri, however, created a bit of a stir on campus.
Despite a faculty petition to retain Podolefsky and a glowing letter of recommendation from the state’s higher-education commissioner, Central Missouri’s board of governors decided, in a 4-3 vote, not to renew his contract, which expires in June. The board publicly offered no explanation but praised his contributions.
“Boards change, and new members want to go in a different direction,” Podolefsky said during a phone interview Wednesday. “But I was very much affirmed by the response on campus from the faculty. That made me feel good about my five years.”
Podolefsky has been mentioned as a presidential candidate at a number of colleges, including Central Washington State, the University of Central Arkansas and Youngstown State University, before he eventually landed the job at Buffalo State…
…Dr. Podolefsky has an extensive and successful background in public higher education and currently serves as president of the University of Central Missouri. His biography and CV are available on the Buffalo State Web site. His wife, Ronnie Podolefsky, is a civil rights attorney and a very dynamic person, and we are pleased and proud to welcome her as well to the Buffalo State College community.
Dr. Podolefsky embraces the importance of our vital mission and core values, including outstanding education, research, service learning, access, and diversity. He is extremely bright and engaging and will be a forceful advocate for our college in SUNY and throughout the community, the state, and the country…
That’s quite a positive review. That’s definitely going to grate on one individual in particular.
…I’m not the problem. No question about that. The problem’s gonna leave in June. That’s the problem. And it’ll be gone soon, we just have to wait. Okay….
…Aaron Podolefsky. Out. We’ve talked about it for a long time….
….The, the thing that really upset me, that kind of got [garbled] going originally was, for years there was a Christmas tree lit at Selmo Park. Remember that?
[….]
Drive by. He stopped that. I mean I think every religion should be able to celebrate, uh, in their own way, but, I mean we do live in Warrensburg, Missouri. This is America. You know. Let’s bring that back. How ’bout that?
This is the fifty-second post in an ongoing series as we file Missouri Sunshine Law (RSMo 610) requests and investigate the non-renewal of the contract of University of Central Missouri President Aaron Podolefsky. Links to previous coverage are below the fold. BG and MB
….I have been contacted by a member of the UCM Board of Governors. The board member asked me what I thought the faculty’s response would be if an offer was tendered by the Board to “buy out President Podolefsky’s contract.” I immediately asked if such an offer was forthcoming from the Board; and if so, why I was being asked to comment. The board member stated that ‘no official discussions or conclusions had been reached,’ but that several campus leaders were being asked what they thought the reaction of their respective constituents might be if such an action was proposed. I told the board member that I would need time to consider my response. Pursuant to that conversation, I have been contacted by other leaders of campus units to see if my opinion on the “Podolefsky buy-out” had been solicited….
Anyone think that Aaron Podolefsky didn’t know that this “buyout” question was asked in late 2007?
…In October 2008, Podolefsky became one of four finalists vying for the presidential seat at Central Washington University. At the time, Podolefsky stated “It’s not that it’s a better fit. They are an institution very much like us, that’s probably why they are interested in me,” Podolefsky said.
Some at the meeting took this as an indication that Podolefsky wanted to leave. Faculty Senate Vice President Jerry Kangas was one who shared this opinion.
“The president chose to go on that interview. When you choose to go to an interview, you’re choosing to leave in my opinion,” Kangas said.
However, others had reservations about this thinking….
….The battle plan to hire a new president has been in the works since December 2008 when Aaron Podolefsky was in the running for the president of Central Washington University.
“Follow Aaron’s path….When Aaron was in the running for the job at Central Washington, we bagan to gear up and say, ‘If he gets a job, where are we? We need to get our processes in place.’ This isn’t something we did in a weekend or in one meeting,” Phillips said….
Except someone on the board was floating the idea of a buyout a year earlier. This mad scramble a year later doesn’t look very good in the adequately planning for contingencies column when it comes to evaluating the board, does it?
Uh, that’s a two year span of events in case you weren’t keeping track.
After the February, 17, 2010 faculty forum on the presidential search we submitted a Missouri Sunshine Law request:
From: Michael Bersin [….]
Date: Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 7:24 PM
Subject: Request for information – RSMo 610
Under RSMo 610 I am requesting the following:
1. A copy of the confidentiality statement/agreement signed by the members of the presidential search advisory committee.
2. A copy of the “rubric” document created by the presidential search consultant and provided to/or to be provided to the members of the presidential search advisory committee.
3. A copy of the confidentiality statement/agreement pertaining to the presidential search signed by the members of the Board of Governors. Also, If the members of the Board of Governors have signed such a confidentiality statement/agreement, copies of the actual document(s) signed by the members of the Board of Governors.
Under RSMo 610.026 I am requesting a waiver of any copying fee since this request is “in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the public governmental body and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester.”
Thank you.[….]
We attended a University of Central Missouri Board of Governors “work session” on December 10, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. where the board discussed the makeup of the presidential search advisory committee:
….Marvin “Bunky” Wright: …To me, something that’s gonna be extremely important for people, and particularly people that are candidates, is confidentiality. We can talk about the makeup of this group as much as we want to, but, you know, it’s gonna end up that I think that we have to have the absolute faith of these people that they are gonna keep everything confidential. Because you can wreck people’s careers by just running off at the mouth. You know that stupid Bunky Wright applied for such and such. You know, it gets back to the institution where I am and it’s goodbye. And it, it, uh, the searches that I’ve been involved in that’s a crucial point [crosstalk].
Ken Hutchinson: I saw it happen.
Marvin “Bunky” Wright: Because a lot of good people won’t apply unless they’re just absolutely certain it’s confidential.
Richard Phillips: Should we [inaudible] put together some little packet of information where if you agree to serve on the committee here’s your responsibility?
Ken Hutchinson: Look, I’d take it a step, yes, that for sure and we’ll, we’ll put that together. But I think that needs to sign a confidentiality statement and it, and turn it in to, uh, to Monica and she has on file that this. And if they don’t want to sign it then we, they don’t have to serve.
Marvin “Bunky” Wright: You know, it’s not trying to hide from the public or anybody. [crosstalk, several voices: “No”.]
Richard Phillips: But for serving the integrity of the candidates [inaudible]…
Ken Hutchinson: Yeah, good point….
Project much?
And, we did receive a reply to our Missouri Sunshine Law request:
[….]
To: Michael Bersin [….]
CC: Henry Setser [….]
Date: Tue, Feb 23, 2010 at 12:05 PM
Subject: Re: Request for information – RSMo 610
[….]
In response to your request received on 2/18/10, wherein you ask for [….]
please find attached a copy of the Oath of confidentiality that has been or will be signed by all members of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee and the members of the Board of Governors, and the “rubric” document for use in the evaluation of applicant files. In regard to your request for “signed” copies of the Oath of Confidentiality by both the members of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee and the members of the Board of Governors, these are considered to be the equivalent of personnel records, and are therefore, closed.
Sincerely,
[….]
Custodian of Records
Okay. On December 10, 2009 there was no discussion in the meeting of having members of the Board of Governors sign the confidentiality agreement. To be fair, between that time and their present response they could have decided that that would be a good idea. But, the thought didn’t enter the discussion in that hour long “work session” in December of 2009.
The “Oath of Confidentiality”:
OATH OF CONFIDENTIALITY
I, __________________________, DO SOLEMNLY ACCEPT AND AGREE TO ABIDE BY THIS WRITTEN “OATH OF CONFIDENTIALLY” THAT I WILL NOT DIVULGE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE IDENTITIES OF CANDIDATES OR PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES TO ANYONE AT ANYTIME DURING THE PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH OR TO ANYONE AFTER THE PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH CONCLUDES.
________________________________
Signature
___________
Date
All that’s missing is the part where they put you on double secret probation for failing to live up to it.
We asked for:
…1. A copy of the confidentiality statement/agreement signed by the members of the presidential search advisory committee…
…and…
…3. A copy of the confidentiality statement/agreement pertaining to the presidential search signed by the members of the Board of Governors. Also, If the members of the Board of Governors have signed such a confidentiality statement/agreement, copies of the actual document(s) signed by the members of the Board of Governors….
Now, we really weren’t concerned about getting to copies of the actual [signed] statements for the search advisory committee members, but, in fairness, we could see that someone might interpret our request that way if taken in isolation. You would think that someone might get clued in by the second sentence of our request in the section pertaining to the board.
What’s fascinating about the response is the assertion “…these are considered to be the equivalent of personnel records, and are therefore, closed.”
From previous discussions in open meetings we know that the confidentiality agreement/statement exists (and they gave it to us when we asked for it) and we know that members of the presidential search advisory committee won’t be allowed to participate if they haven’t signed it. So, what’s the secret? The color of ink they used to sign it? Or the date?
As for the members of the Board of Governors, we have an assertion that they have or will sign the document, but that we can’t get copies of the actual documents because they are “…the equivalent of personnel records…” Really? The members of the Board of Governors have personnel records? I’d be more convinced if someone could actually find them.
This is the fifty-first post in an ongoing series as we file Missouri Sunshine Law (RSMo 610) requests and investigate the non-renewal of the contract of University of Central Missouri President Aaron Podolefsky. Links to previous coverage are below the fold. BG and MB
Today I received a phone call in my office at approximately 9:20 a.m. from an individual who identified himself as a faculty member in the College of Education. A rough paraphrase of the conversation, leaving out some of it, follows:
Caller: Had been reading the coverage on the blog, especially the recent material on [Benoit] Wesly’s contributions to the University. Were you aware of the circumstances of the annual contributions of [Benoit] Wesly? [And I’m thinking, why are you calling me?]
Me: I had heard some information along those lines. Those circumstances are not rare for contributors – relationships are built over long periods of time.
Caller: The contributions came at a net cost to the university. Why don’t you cover that?
Me: You can take a look at every contributor in this fashion. If you have information [on Benoit Wesly] you can sign up and post it.
[The Foundation has only released information to the Board of Governors about Benoit Wesly’s giving history. Absent the giving history of every other contributor to the Foundation this would be difficult, if not impossible, to confirm. How convenient.]
Caller: This [coverage of the story] is not good for the University. Not going to talk about the other things.
Me: We only have parts of the story. We’ve heard the whisper campaign, so we asked for documents. We get resistance, but when we do get documents they show that there is no there there. We are still looking at a charge of $501.86 for documents.
Caller: Well, if you want it go ahead and pay it. [I didn’t think at this point that it would be fruitful to ask for assistance with the cost.]
Education makes money. The Harmon College of Business loses money. Music and Nursing lose money.
Me: And what kind of University are we? What kind of University would we be without them?
Caller: I’m not here to debate. I don’t have the time. You and Bob Yates like to debate. I don’t have the time to go into it.
Me: You brought it up.
Caller: How do you have time as a full professor to do this?
Me: It comes out of my hide. I do this on my own time.
Caller: Are you doing this from your campus computer?
Me: I have a laptop.
Caller: If you’re using your campus computer, that’s a problem. [I’m thinking, are you deaf? Are you calling me from your campus phone? And if so, is that a problem?]
Me: If you think that’s the case, then do something about it.
Caller: I’m done. [hangup]
In case anyone is wondering, I wrote this from my laptop computer.
This is the fiftieth post in an ongoing series as we file Missouri Sunshine Law (RSMo 610) requests and investigate the non-renewal of the contract of University of Central Missouri President Aaron Podolefsky. Links to previous coverage are below the fold. BG and MB
As reported in today’s print edition of the Muleskinner, the student newspaper at the University of Central Missouri, on February 25th in open session the University’s Board of Governors unanimously approved the content of a letter to be sent to Benoit Wesly concerning their opinion of the on air radio comments by Greg Hassler:
February 24, 2010
Mr. Benoit Wesly
[….]
Dear Mr. Wesly:
The Board of Governors is responsible for the governance of the University of Central Missouri, and in that capacity has enacted rules, regulations, and policies that clearly specify that discrimination is forbidden at the University. The Board reviewed the matter of the statement attributed to the radio announcer and does not believe the content of the statement was discriminatory, nor was it intended to be discriminatory. The [text obscured] has been advised that Mr. Hassler made a public statement thereafter, stating that he meant nothing discriminatory and apologized for any controversy caused by his comments….
….Mr. Hassler is not an employee of the University of Central Missouri and is not authorized to issue any statement on behalf of the University. It is indeed unfortunate that what was apparently an innocent comment has been blown out of proportion. The Board takes claims of discrimination very seriously, but it would appear that the remarks were not of any negative impact upon this university, and frankly drew no attention or comment whatsoever until following the orchestrated release of your first communication and subsequent communications about the statement.
The Board is regretful that you have chosen to to take the word of whoever is providing you information over the efforts of the Board and Board President to rationally review this situation. We thank you for your past contributions to the University. It is unfortunate that you have further chosen to withdraw future support of this institution and its students. You certainly have the right to your opinion to do so, and you have exercised that right because you disagree with the Board. This matter is deemed to be closed. We will find a way to keep the institution and its students from being disadvantaged.
Sincerely,
s/
Weldon Brady, Secretary
UCM Board of Governors
“…Mr. Hassler is not an employee of the University of Central Missouri and is not authorized to issue any statement on behalf of the University…”
Uh, his radio station (he’s a minority owner) has an exclusive ten year contract [pdf] with the University to broadcast its sporting events. And he’s certainly a ubiquitous presence in the University’s athletic program publicity.
“…has been advised that Mr. Hassler made a public statement thereafter, stating that he meant nothing discriminatory and apologized for any controversy caused by his comments…”
Here’s the on air “apology” from December 10, 2009:
…Greg Hassler: …But there’s another blogger out there that has taken some things that I have said, eh, out of context and has spun them around and at, attacked me on blogs, calling me a racist, a bigot, which I’m not. They’ve also called me anti-Semitic, which I’m not. I love all people of all religions, I do. I’m not anti-Semitic.
other voice: I would agree with that.
Greg Hassler: You know what I am?
other voice: What are you?
Greg Hassler: I’m a big Mules and Jennies basketball fan, [laughter] that’s what I am….
…Hassler told The Kansas City Star that his remark “was spun out of context” and he apologized on the air in December.
“I said that is not what I meant,” Hassler said. “I have nothing against anybody at all. I am not anti-Semitic.
“Did I actually say I was sorry? No, but I think that could be considered an apology. The whole thing is just silly…”
Ah, yes, a silly non-apology apology. That would work for a governing board, I’m sure.
“…The Board is regretful that you have chosen to to take the word of whoever is providing you information over the efforts of the Board and Board President to rationally review this situation…”
That’s a recurring theme. Not too concerned about the comment, but certainly are concerned about the exposure.
….You are several thousand miles away from Warrensburg while I am fifty miles away yet you have information I do not have….
….I remain curious in trying to understand how and why a person or persons would share this with you….
….you know, this Wesly guy who lives in Denmark, this, you know, he’s Dutch, lives in Denmark. How does he even hear about this from a little radio station in Warrensburg, Missouri….?
Which fool is leading?
Shining the light of day on anti-Semitism can get uncomfortable, especially when one is on the receiving end of the public scrutiny.
“…We will find a way to keep the institution and its students from being disadvantaged….”
The immediate resignation of the board members who approved such a disingenuous letter would be a good start in achieving that shared goal.
Apparently the Board’s opinion doesn’t hold complete sway in the community. There was a letter to the editor in yesterday’s Warrensburg Daily Star-Journal:
….What is difficult to understand is why the board tolerated Hassler’s attacks. They certainly did not need Hassler to help them select a new president. So what, really, was Hassler’s role?
My personal perspective is that the board and Hassler have a hidden agenda. Some day that will all come out.
This is the forty-ninth post in an ongoing series as we file Missouri Sunshine Law (RSMo 610) requests and investigate the non-renewal of the contract of University of Central Missouri President Aaron Podolefsky. Links to previous coverage are below the fold. BG and MB
Yesterday we posted on the University of Central Missouri Board of Governors’ successful attempt to acquire the gift history of benefactor Benoit Wesly. We also asked if they inquired about others’ gift history. We received no documents indicating such.
There are implications involved in a public entity acquiring information in Missouri – if anyone asks them what they have, they’re supposed to let that anyone know. The University of Central Missouri Board of Governors, as a public entity, is subject to the Missouri Sunshine Law. We are aware that the University of Central Missouri Foundation has previously declined requests for information, supposedly because they are not subject to the requirements of Missouri’s public records statutes. Apparently that depends on who is doing the asking.
After initial resistance from the Foundation…
…The Foundation’s legal counsel, Stinson, Morrison, Hecker LLP, recommends that all donor information be kept confidential. Their interpretation of the law is that we have the ability to keep such giving history private.
We feel that were it to be known that the Foundation releases such information to outside agencies or individuals, we would experience a chilling effect on our ability to solicit and secure future gifts…
…they apparently relented, even though our Sunshine Law request did not turn up any documents explaining this change in policy or even acknowledging such.
What would make the University of Central Missouri Board of Governors discard the advice of nonprofit fundraising professionals?
….1. Is it your legal counsel’s specificopinion that the information requested be denied Mr. Wright and/or UCM’s Board of Governors, or is it a generalrecommendation that all donor information be confidential.
2. Is it your opinion that Mr. Wright or the university is “an individual or outside agency?”
3. If I were to make a similar request as past president and emeriti Foundation Board member, would that request be denied. Further, if a Foundation Board officer and/or Foundation Board member made a similar request, would it be denied?
4. Is it your position and the opinion of the legal counsel that the Missouri Sunshine Law does not apply to the Foundation?….
[emphasis in original]
It must be all in how you phrase the question. And what would prompt them to ask for that information for one specific donor and not for others? Is there a specific price point for doing the right thing?
From the records we acquired via our Sunshine Law request directed to the Board of Governors we have been able to ascertain that Benoit Wesly has given $408,250.00 to the University through the Foundation, with another $90,000.00 pledged. The content of the three page document listing that gift history is below the fold.
[page 1 of 3, unnumbered] COPY
Payment Jun 12, 2009 Soft $3,250.00 2009 Foundation Annual Fund UCM Maastricht Medallion International Award Fac Staff
$3,250.00 2009 Foundation Annual Fund UCM Maastricht Medallion International Award for Stude
Payment Sep 30, 2008 Self $1,750.00 2009 Foundation Annual Fund UCM Maastricht Medallion International Award Fac Staff
$1,750.00 2009 Foundation Annual Fund UCM Maastricht Medallion International Award for Stude
Pledge Sep 23, 2008 Self $50,000.00 $45,000.00 Active 2009 Foundation Annual Fund UCM Maastricht Medallion International Award Fac Staff
$50,000.00 $45,000.00 Active 2009 Foundation Annual Fund UCM Maastricht Medallion International Award Stude
Gift Aug 28, 2008 Self $15,000.00 2009 Foundation Annual Fund Presidents Fund
Gift May 15, 2008 Self $3,500.00 2008 Foundation Annual Fund Presidents Fund
Gift Oct 12, 2006 Self $3,500.00 2007 Foundation Annual Fund Presidents Fund
Gift Nov 03, 2005 Self $3,500.00 2006 Foundation Annual Fund Presidents Fund
Gift Oct 12, 2004 Self $3,500.00 2005 Foundation Annual Fund Fashion Merchandising Program
Gift Sep 09, 2003 Self $3,500.00 2004 Foundation Unrestricted The Central Annual Fund
Gift Mar 27, 2002 Self $3,500.00 2002 Foundation Unrestricted The Central Annual Fund
Gift Apr 07, 2000 Self $3,500.00 2000 Foundation Annual Camp. Hospitality Management Association Scholarship Endowment
Gift Apr 21, 1999 Self $3,500.00 1999 Foundation Annual Camp. Presidents Fund
[page 2 of 3, unnumbered] COPY
Gift Feb 03, 1998 Self $3,500.00 1998 Foundation Annual Camp. Presidents Fund
Gift Apr 25, 1997 Self $3,500.00 1997 Foundation Annual Camp. Presidents Fund
Gift Apr 25, 1996 Self $3,500.00 1996 Foundation Annual Camp. Presidents Fund
Gift Apr 25, 1995 Self $3,500.00 1995 Foundation Annual Camp. Presidents Fund
Gift Apr 22, 1994 Self $3,500.00 1994 Foundation Annual Camp. Presidents Fund
Gift Apr 23, 1993 Self $3,500.00 1993 Foundation Annual Camp. Presidents Fund
Gift Apr 06, 1992 Self $3,500.00 1992 Foundation Annual Camp. Presidents Fund
Gift Apr 18, 1991 Self $3,500.00 1991 Foundation Annual Camp. Presidents Fund
Gift Apr 20, 1990 Self $3,500.00 1990 Foundation Annual Camp. Presidents Fund
Gift Apr 20, 1989 Self $3,500.00 1989 Annual Campaign Presidents Fund
[page 3 of 3, unnumbered] COPY
Gift Jun 12, 2009 Soft $3,250.00 2009 Foundation Annual Fund UCM Maastricht Medallion International Award Fac Staff
$3,250.00 2009 Foundation Annual Fund UCM Maastricht Medallion International Award for Stude
Gift May 30, 1997 Self $5,000.00 1998 Foundation Annual Camp. Ardon-Doron International Scholarship
Gift May 13, 1997 Self $100,000.00 1997 Foundation Annual Camp. Miscellaneous Restricted
Gift Dec 16, 1996 Self $100,000.00 1997 Foundation Annual Camp. Miscellaneous Restricted
Gift May 03, 1996 Self $100,000.00 1996 Foundation Annual Camp. Miscellaneous Restricted
Gift Nov 03, 1995 Self $5,000.00 1996 Foundation Annual Camp. Ardon-Doron International Scholarship
Gift Apr 27, 1994 Self $5,000.00 1994 Foundation Annual Camp. Ardon-Doron International Scholarship
Gift Jun 29, 1992 Self $5,000.00 1992 Foundation Annual Camp. Ardon-Doron International Scholarship
Gift Jun 30, 1990 Self $250.00 1992 Foundation Annual Camp. Special Scholarships
[emphasis in originals]
Now that the Board of Governors and the Foundation, through its action in releasing that information to an “outside individual or entity”, have opened this Pandora’s box, we have an idea of others’ gift history we’d like to acquire. We’re making a list.
This is the forty-eighth post in an ongoing series as we file Missouri Sunshine Law (RSMo 610) requests and investigate the non-renewal of the contract of University of Central Missouri President Aaron Podolefsky. Links to previous coverage are below the fold. BG and MB
The student newspaper at the University of Central Missouri, the Muleskinner, published the following unsigned lead editorial in its February 18, 2010 edition (page 4, voices, and yes, we asked):
Board Of Governors’ Secret Selection Process Wrong For University
UCM’s Board of Governors isn’t totally inept – it can still spin the truth and fib fairly well.
The Board decided on Feb. 4 that the presidential search would be conducted in secret. Board President Richard Phillips sent a letter to the campus community stating that candidates would be reluctant to apply to UCM if the names of our applicants were made public because they expected retribution from the candidates’ current employers….
….This decision obviously stems from the Board’s reaction to UCM President Aaron Podolefsky’s having an interview or two over the years.
The Board fails to realize that very few Boards of Governors or Regents are as vindictive and petty as they are….
….The only possible reasons for conducting the presidential search in secret are:
1) The Board actively plans to violate the law in hiring a candidate.
2) The Board already has its choice for president and the search is just a sham.
3) The Board realizes that they will be unable to secure viable candidates of an equal or greater caliber than the president they just threw away like last night’s leftovers.
4) The Board has no confidence in itself and is running scared of potential controversy….
….It is time the Board of Governors starts working in the best interests of the University instead of acting like a high school clique.
It is important to note that Aaron Podolefsky only started interviewing for other positions after Richard Phillips made an inquiry of then Faculty Senate President Jack Rogers in late 2007 about possible faculty reaction to the Board buying out the president’s contract.
Coincidentally, we filled some Missouri Sunshine Law requests.
From: Michael Bersin [….]
Date: Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 8:22 AM
Subject: Request for information – RSMo 610
Under RSMo 610 I am requesting the following:
1. In the period from December 1, 2009 to this date – any communications or documents sent or received by the University of Central Missouri Board of Governors or any member of the Board of Governors concerning the giving or gift history of Benoit Wesly to the CMSU/UCM Foundation.
2. In the period from December 1, 2009 to this date – any communications or documents sent or received by the University of Central Missouri Board of Governors or any member of the Board of Governors concerning the giving or gift history of any other individual to the CMSU/UCM Foundation.
Under RSMo 610.026 I am requesting a waiver of any copying fee since this request is “in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the public governmental body and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester.”
Thank you. [….]
We received the following somewhat testy reply:
[….]
To: Michael Bersin [….]
Date: Fri, Feb 19, 2010 at 9:39 AM
Subject: Re: Request for information – RSMo 610
[….]
On February 17, 2010, you made a request for records under the Missouri Sunshine Law and asked for a waiver of fees since you viewed the request to be in the public’s interest. Be advised that this fee is being waived not because it is in the public’s best interest, but because the cost of providing the documents to you is very minimal (70 cents).
The requested information is available and may be picked up from my office in ADM 202. I will leave it in an envelope at the front desk.
[….]
Custodian of Records [….]
[emphasis in original]
Okay. We still think it’s in the public’s interest to know what a public entity is doing.
Does this mean we’re going to get back the $87.75 we paid for one page?
This is the start of what we got for the seventy cents we didn’t have to pay – an e-mail addressed to Joseph Kremer, Chief Development Officer and Executive Director of the UCM Foundation:
[….]1/28/2010 10:32 AM [….]
I have had a request from the Board to obtain information from the Foundation concerning the history of Mr. Ben Wesly’s giving to UCM. Please advise if and when this information can be provided. Thank you. [….]
Now, we have to ask, why would the Board of Governors want to know the details of Benoit Wesly’s giving to the University of Central Missouri Foundation?
Speaking of spin, a letter to the editor written by an individual appeared in the February 8th edition of the local paper, the Warrensburg Daily Star-Journal:
…If we allow this European to hold UCM hostage over this perceived derogatory comment, then we are throwing our sense of right and wrong under the bus in order to continue to receive his favor. If his gifts came with strings attached then those strings should have been identified prior to his giving, and our accepting them. I feel that his gifts come at too high a price. Possibly we should rename the Maastricht Friendship Tower, and call it the Wesley Hostage Tower….
Or, we could spell Benoit Wesly’s last name correctly and call it a draw. Wait, who else keeps spelling Benoit Wesly’s last name incorrectly?
Back to the Board’s request for information. Joe Kremer replied:
[….] 1/28/2010 5:38 PM [….]
After consultation with Dale Zank, president of the UCM Foundation Board of Directors, we have asked our legal counsel, Stinson, Morrison, Hacker LLP, to weigh in on the request. We are sensitive to the issuance of donor information to any outside individual or agency, and feel it appropriate not to respond until counsel has had an opportunity to present their opinion.
Respectfully [….]
Another e-mail to members of the Board of Governors explains:
[….]
To: Richard Philips; [….] Wright, Marvin
Date: 1/29/2010 3:19 PM
Subject: Fwd: Release of Donor Information
CC: Setser, Henry
Please see the response to the inquiry/request for information pertaining to Ben Wesly’s giving.
[….]
Joseph Kremer 1/29/2010 2:57 PM [….]
The Foundation’s legal counsel, Stinson, Morrison, Hecker LLP, recommends that all donor information be kept confidential. Their interpretation of the law is that we have the ability to keep such giving history private.
We feel that were it to be known that the Foundation releases such information to outside agencies or individuals, we would experience a chilling effect on our ability to solicit and secure future gifts.
The giving information regarding the Tower referenced in the article (“the 1997 article in UCM’s Alumni Today said his gift was more than $300,000”) is public information, and can be thought of as accurate.
Dale Zank, president of the Foundation Board, will be calling Weldon Brady to discuss with him our position.
Thanks. [….]
Joe Kremer
Chief Development Officer
Executive Director, UCM Foundation [….]
Weldon Brady, a member of the Board of Governors, wrote a letter to Joe Kremer:
February 1, 2010
Mr. Joe Kremer
University Director & Chief
Development Officer
University of central Missouri
ADM 201
Warrensburg, Missouri 64093
Dear Joe:
In reviewing my e-mails over the weekend, I first learned of the request of fellow Board of Governor member Marvin Wright for donor information and must say I was surprised by your response. I presume your reference to me in your response is because of my liaison to the Foundation, which in and of itself seems to confirm, of course, the affiliation between the university and the Foundation.
In order that I may be prepared to answer any questions that may arise regarding this issue, would you please afford me the following information:
1. Is it your legal counsel’s specificopinion that the information requested be denied Mr. Wright and/or UCM’s Board of Governors, or is it a generalrecommendation that all donor information be confidential.
2. Is it your opinion that Mr. Wright or the university is “an individual or outside agency?”
3. If I were to make a similar request as past president and emeriti Foundation Board member, would that request be denied. Further, if a Foundation Board officer and/or Foundation Board member made a similar request, would it be denied?
4. Is it your position and the opinion of the legal counsel that the Missouri Sunshine Law does not apply to the Foundation?
Thank you Joe for your prompt response to these questions.
Sincerely,
s/
Weldon Brady, Secretary
Board of Governors
Cc: UCM Board of Governors
Dale Zank, UCM Foundation Board President
Dr. Aaron Podolefsky, University President
[emphasis in original]
Evidently somebody changed their mind, but they didn’t do so in writing. We got the list.
We received no other communications or documents concerning other donors in response to this Missouri Sunshine Law request.
As of March 1, 2010 Joe Kremer has accepted a position elsewhere and will no longer be working for the University or the Foundation.
Well, we do know that the University of Central Missouri Board of Governors are subject to the Missouri Sunshine Law. Kind of explains one of the practical aspects of Joe Kremers’s position, doesn’t it? If the University and the Foundation are one and the same, we’re going to request some information we’re interested in from the Foundation.
…because you’ve always demonstrated an affinity for accuracy and facts, right?
This is the forty-seventh post in an ongoing series as we file Missouri Sunshine Law (RSMo 610) requests and investigate the non-renewal of the contract of University of Central Missouri President Aaron Podolefsky. Links to previous coverage are below the fold. BG and MB
Today Greg Hassler, part owner of KOKO radio and erstwhile tree decorating critic, opined on presidential searches at state universities:
…Greg Hassler: …Good morning Woody.
Marion Woods: How-dee.
Greg Hassler: You know, there’s two things.
Marion Woods: Uh, huh.
Greg Hassler: That I’ve always kind of hung my hat on. [crosstalk]
Marion Woods: What’s that? [crosstalk]
Greg Hassler: I’ve always had two theories in life that were always pretty good, Number one, you’re never gonna see a shut out in basketball. [laughter] And number two, if you apply for enough jobs eventually you’re gonna get one.
Marion Woods: Think so?
Greg Hassler: I’ve never seen a shut out in basketball, but Aaron’s rolling, pretty getting close. He’s getting close. Didn’t get the Youngstown State deal.
Marion Woods: Yeah.
Greg Hassler: Buffalo State’s still out there.
Marion Woods: Yup.
Greg Hassler: He applied for Florida Atlantic. Just got that information, uh, late last night.
Marion Woods: Oh, really?
Greg Hassler: With forty-one other people, so, I don’t know. Throwin’ those darts, eventually one sticks on the board.
Marion Woods: Yeah.
Greg Hassler: But then again, maybe not. I also like your story on, uh, the Board of Governors coming out saying that it’s not gonna be a, uh, public search. Smart.
Marion Woods: That’s a great idea.
Greg Hassler: Very smart. You don’t want to, you know, you want to bring a quality guy in. You actually need leadership at this University, it’s been a while. And, uh, you gotta bring a good guy in, a sitting president, not someone, you know, looking for their first gig. And you don’t want to jeopardize their job ’cause, uh, the guy’s gonna, or gal, whoever it is gonna be good. And whoever, wherever they leave is gonna really miss ’em. And you don’t want to get the, the cat out of the bag so to speak.
Marion Woods: Well, they jeopardize the current job.
Greg Hassler: That’s exactly right.
Marion Woods: Yeah.
Greg Hassler: And you don’t want to do that.
Marion Woods: No.
Greg Hassler: How about those games last night?…
Let’s see, expertise and accuracy in dendrochronology. Check.
…The Podolefskys say that after Hassler’s comments became a cause celebre, they checked and found that there had been a cedar tree in the front yard that was decorated with lights in years past at Christmas time, but that it was removed five years before they arrived…
[emphasis added]
Demonstrates superior grasp of the intricacies of international geography. Check.
…you know, this Wesly guy who lives in Denmark, this, you know, he’s Dutch, lives in Denmark….
Pays attention to detail and has a memory like a steel trap. Check.
…It, it was a great show…
(23:24) Darla Jaye: …the guy, the Dutch entrepreneur is, uh, from Holland. Holland is Dutch, sorry about that… (23:28)
With a record like that the University of Central Missouri Board of Governors is bound to offer the presidency to Greg Hassler.
This is the forty-sixth post in an ongoing series as we file Missouri Sunshine Law (RSMo 610) requests and investigate the non-renewal of the contract of University of Central Missouri President Aaron Podolefsky. Links to previous coverage are below the fold. BG and MB
On Monday night, February 1st Darla Jaye on KMBZ radio in Kansas City devoted air time to the story. Later in the week Greg Hassler heaped effusive praise on the content, stating that KOKO radio would rebroadcast the show:
…It, it was a great show, uh, we are going to replay that show here on fourteen-fifty KOKO, it’s from an outsider, a third party that knows nothing about the University of Central Missouri, knows nothing about how Aaron Podolefsky did not get his contract renewed by the Board of Governors. Doesn’t know anything about me, doesn’t know anything about Wesly, and her thoughts and her comments on what she read in the newspaper and callers in the Kansas City area. It’s probably gonna be tomorrow once we get that whole show put together. Her producer has e-mailed it, uh, to us…
Of course, we commented:
…Because people who don’t know anything or any of the facts always have the best insights on the issues of the day…
The show was rebroadcast on KOKO radio, we received audio of that rebroadcast, and we weren’t disappointed in the Olympic scope of the show’s fact challenged presentation.
Darla Jaye started the show apparently reading the Kansas City Star version of the story. Unfortunately for anyone interested in actual, you know, facts, the Star’s version is the least coherent. The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle and the Muleskinner have much more comprehensive and understandable coverage.
[7:03] Darla Jaye: …And maybe he’s blaming it on this because, look, people do feel bad that there are no longer Christmas trees. If the president of the university, and they’re, they say that diversity is very, very important there, doesn’t want to have a Christmas tree in his front yard because he’s Jewish, so be it. But isn’t that somebody’s right to say, boy, I wish the Christmas tree was still there? It’s been there for years, now it’s gone, he did that. How is that anti-Semitic? [crosstalk] He didn’t say, uh, you know, this Jew, or this or that, he didn’t say that at all. It seems to me that he was looking for an excuse to pull his money and, of course, he has that right. But to blame it on this radio host, I kind of feel sorry for this guy. He didn’t say anything that wrong. Did he? Or do you see something racist or anti-Semitic in a remarks about taking down the Christmas tree?…[8:05]
[note times are approximate and indicate the point in the approximately 30 minute KOKO radio rebroadcast]
Darla Jaye did not quote a more substantial portion of the transcript of Greg Hassler’s remarks. Hasslers’s remarks from the October 2009 KOKO broadcast:
Greg Hassler: …The University of Central Missouri. End of an era.
Marion Woods: Uh, huh.
Greg Hassler: Aaron Podolefsky. Out. We’ve talked about it for a long time….
….The, the thing that really upset me, that kind of got [garbled] going originally was, for years there was a Christmas tree lit at Selmo Park. Remember that?
Marion Woods: Yep.
Greg Hassler: Drive by. He stopped that. I mean I think every religion should be able to celebrate, uh, in their own way, but, I mean we do live in Warrensburg, Missouri. This is America. You know. Let’s bring that back. How ’bout that?
Marion Woods: Wasn’t that the Christmas tree at the quadrangle?
Greg Hassler: No, there was also one at Selmo Park.
Marion Woods: Oh, okay.
Gregg Hassler: In the, in the yard, area there, so. I mean, I don’t know, it’s jus… It, it was a bad fit from the get go. It’s, it’s over…
[15:53] Darla Jaye:…a, a Danish entrepreneur, a Dutch entrepreneur funded scholarships at the University of Central Missouri. A radio host who does play by play for University of Central Missouri sports mentioned that the Christmas tree was gone at the president of University of Central Missouri’s, uh, residence, and he said he stopped that, I think every religion should be able to celebrate in their own way, but we do live in Warrensburg, Missouri, this is America, you know. Let’s bring that back. Let’s bring the Christmas tree back. What’s wrong with that? Why is that anti-Semitic?… [16:35]
[16:43] Darla Jaye:…Talkin’ about this story about, um, Radio Host Remarks Cost University of Central Missouri a Big Benefactor. Um, I just find it difficult to believe that this guy pulled all of his money after giving money to the University of Central Missouri for however, twen, twenty some years because a host said I wish the Christmas tree was back on the, the president’s property on, the University of Central Missouri. And saying that’s anti-Semitic. It just doesn’t make sense to me… [17:14]
…The Podolefskys say that after Hassler’s comments became a cause celebre, they checked and found that there had been a cedar tree in the front yard that was decorated with lights in years past at Christmas time, but that it was removed five years before they arrived…
[emphasis added]
It appears that like Greg Hassler, Darla Jaye didn’t bother to do any basic research. Apparently reading from a single newspaper article will suffice.
It gets even better:
[17:56] Darla Jaye: …Well, it is, and, and, you know what, I mean I think that Christmas trees have been pulled off lots of campuses. I mean, this is a, is a bigger issue. They’ve been pulled off lots of campuses and haven’t been on campuses for years because somebody, one person is offended. Uh, it, it’s just a tree. I mean, it’s something pretty to look at, and you’re right, it is a retail representation of, of Christmas, but, it’s something that means a lot to a lot of people. So, I just don’t understand what the big deal is and I, I feel for this radio guy because, you know, he said, he said something on the air and now he’s getting blamed for losing millions of dollars for the university. Come on… [18:36]
And why would a Christmas tree not be appropriate on the grounds of a campus of a state university in Missouri?:
Prohibition of public aid for religious purposes and institutions.
Section 8. Neither the general assembly, nor any county, city, town, township, school district or other municipal corporation, shall ever make an appropriation or pay from any public fund whatever, anything in aid of any religious creed, church or sectarian purpose, or to help to support or sustain any private or public school, academy, seminary, college, university, or other institution of learning controlled by any religious creed, church or sectarian denomination whatever; nor shall any grant or donation of personal property or real estate ever be made by the state, or any county, city, town, or other municipal corporation, for any religious creed, church, or sectarian purpose whatever.
Facts are really pesky things, especially when you’re a right wingnut radio talk show host.
[19:39] Darla Jaye: …So, we’re talking about the Radio Host Remarks Cost University of Central Missouri a Big Benefactor. I just have a hard time believing that this man, whose brother died in the holocaust, who lives in, uh, if you’re Dutch you live in Denmark, right? I think. Yeah. Okay. [laugh] How stupid was that? I know. [laughter] I know, I was tryin’ to figure that out, too….[20:03]
…1. Dutch people are from The Netherlands. The city of Maastricht (you know, the tower thingy on campus, next to the football stadium) is in the Netherlands. Benoit Wesly is from the Netherlands. Benoit Wesly is Dutch.
2.Denmark is a different country than The Netherlands. They don’t even share a border. People who didn’t sleep through all of their classes tend to know that….
[23:24] Darla Jaye: …the guy, the Dutch entrepreneur is, uh, from Holland. Holland is Dutch, sorry about that… [23:28]
Okay, she caught it and sort of corrected it within three minutes.
What’s really funny is that Greg Hassler stated that he listened to the show, thought it was great, and yet continued to exhibit his ignorance, this after one of Darla Jaye’s callers reiterated “The Netherlands” on her show.
[26:43] Darla Jaye: …Well, the guy is entitled to his opinion, and entitled to say, boy I sure miss that Christmas tree that’s been up there for fifty years and now it’s gone. The new president took it down… [26:53]
No, as we pointed out, the new president didn’t take it down. It wasn’t called a Christmas tree. And the tree in question was cut down five years before the Podolefsky’s came to Warrensburg. I believe in actual journalistic circles that kind of error would call for a correction. I don’t think anyone is gonna hold their breath while they wait.
On Darla Jaye’s show a caller pointed out that it was the president’s private residence and he’s Jewish:
“Private Residence” – the sign at the entrance to Selmo Park.
[28:38] Darla Jaye: …Uh, it’s the university residence, it’s not his personal residence. If you’re the president then you, uh, get provided a residence. So, uh, is he just the president for the Jewish students, or is he the president for all the students? Perhaps he could have put the menorah in his window and left the Christmas tree in the front yard. And then he would show that the university is, is dis, diverse, as everybody always says it is. I mean, if we care about diversity, shouldn’t we care about all diversity? Or, because the majority of people that live in the country are Christians, they don’t matter? Only the minority matter. Right? Let me get that right because I, I guess I, I just didn’t realize that….[29:23]
Ah, the right wingnut cult of the oppressed majority because they can’t impose their religious beliefs through the state on everyone else. That pesky Constitution establishment clause, let’s get rid of it. How ’bout that?
Darla Jaye spent some time on her show feeling sorry for Greg Hassler. Let’s take a look at the evolution of Greg Hassler’s statements on this issue over time.
“…First of all let me say that I am not anti-Semitic, I love all people of all religions. I have never stated anything about anyone’s religion on or off the air. People have taken a comment out of context and have spun it for their purpose…”
…Greg Hassler: …But there’s another blogger out there that has taken some things that I have said, eh, out of context and has spun them around and at, attacked me on blogs, calling me a racist, a bigot, which I’m not. They’ve also called me anti-Semitic, which I’m not. I love all people of all religions, I do. I’m not anti-Semitic.
other voice: I would agree with that.
Greg Hassler: You know what I am?
other voice: What are you?
Greg Hassler: I’m a big Mules and Jennies basketball fan, [laughter] that’s what I am….
“…I am not an anti-Semite,” Hassler said. “Actually what I did was misspeak. I meant the tree on the quadrangle. I didn’t say it was because he was Jewish. I should have phrased it better….”
…You’d think a quick thinking media professional wouldn’t misspeak twice. And there’s that ‘religion’ thing…
Right, Darla Jaye?
The Darla Jaye show ended with:
[31:44] Darla Jaye:…Okay, my belief on this story is that the Dutch entrepreneur who funded the scholarships for twenty years, who doesn’t even live here, heard about the comments from, um, Greg Hassler, the part owner of KOKO AM from the Jewish president of the school. And, um, so when he heard those comments, the Jewish president of the school is losing his job by the way, so, who’s to say that, that mis, uh, Aaron Podolefsky, who’s losing his job as president of the University of Central Missouri, didn’t want to really jab it to the university? So he called his good friend Benoit Wesly in, um, Holland, right? Okay. In Holland, and he said, hey, guess what, this radio host said this and you should pull all your money, because they’re, they’re firing me. And, and, look, this guy wants to pull his money, that’s his prerogative, of course, but, I find it hard to believe that a man who went through the holocaust, the most horrible thing that has happened in this world, one of the most horrific times in our history, is so sensitive that a radio host in Warrensburg, Missouri, could upset him so much that he would end a twenty year friendship with this college because some guy on a radio said I wish they’d bring the Christmas tree back…. [33:23]
Yeah, “those people” stick together. It’s called the Internets, Darla Jaye, you should try it some time. I hear teh Google is really easy to use.
